Check out the 15 must-see artists at Reading & Leeds Festival 2018

Follow our R&L 2018 playlist to check out our top tips!

Reading & Leeds Festival is back this weekend. Whether you are North or South, Reading & Leeds is the ritual post-GCSE or pre-University blowout, and an all-round good place to get stuck into some new music.

Kendrick Lamar, Fall Out Boy, Kings of Leon and Panic! At The Disco take on headlining duties this year, alongside huge names including Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Diplo and N.E.R.D.

But rather than talking about the names we expect you’ll definitely know already, we’ve used the Instrumental Music Scouting Platform, to pick out 15 fast-growing artists we think you’d be silly to miss!

(Make sure you have followed our Reading & Leeds 2018 playlist to check out all 15 of our tips)

Here are the 15 must-see artists at Reading & Leeds Festival 2018:

#1 Sam Fender

#1 Sam Fender

Sam Fender is one of 2018’s breakthrough names and a must-see at Reading & Leeds 2018. With a string of huge single releases, including “Friday Fighting”, “Leave Fast” and “Dead Boys”, the Geordie singer-songwriter will be unleashing a growing back catalogue of distinguishably crisp yet anthemic singalong anthems.

In the week-long run-up to R&L 2018 and with the release of new single "Dead Boys", Sam Fender has picked up over 5.6 million new playlist followers (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#2 Tom Grennan

#2 Tom Grennan

Bedford born singer-songwriter Tom Grennan returns to Reading & Leeds this weekend with a Top 5 album. His highly anticipated debut “Lighting Matches” rocketed up the charts last month, with lead single “Found What I’ve Been Looking For” picking up over 29 million streams. Tom is currently has a huge 8.9m playlist following (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#3 Pale Waves

#3 Pale Waves

Back in March, we said that The 1975’s label mates Pale Waves were “en route to indie stardom”. With infectious hooks, dreamy 80s synths and haunting vocals, the Manchester quartet have picked up over 85,000 direct Spotify artist followers and 5.3 million playlist followers this week (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#4 Ten Tonnes

#4 Ten Tonnes

Ethan Barnett, better known as Ten Tonnes, is the brother of chart-topping superstar George Ezra. Whilst the singer-songwriter does not live in the shadow of his brother’s success, he does have the voice to compete. His latest single “G.I.V.E” is a heartfelt and punchy indie-rock anthem, which has earnt him features on 38 influential Spotify playlists, giving him over 3.8 million playlist followers on Spotify this week (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#5 YUNGBLUD

#5 YUNGBLUD

Dominic Harrison is Doncaster’s finest. The brains behind YUNGBLUD, the alt newcomer has soared to stardom over the past year with the release of his eclectic debut “21st Century Liability”. Picking up over 9 million playlist followers this week, the statistics speak for themselves (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform). However, the real reason we’ve included him in this list is because he's the perfect R&L booking. Tracks like “Anarchist”, “Medication” and “I Love You, Will You Marry Me” are made for muddy festival fields.

#6 The Blinders

#6 The Blinders

Also hailing from Donny, The Blinders are set to headline the BBC Introducing Stage. The trio have exploded onto the UK’s live circuit over the last two years, combining psych-lyricism, punk politics and ferocious hooks. Following the radio edit release of their huge single “Brave New World”, The Blinders have picked up over 1.3 million playlist followers (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform). Having found the perfect algorithm to live success, they’ll be ready to take R&L 2018 by storm.

#7 King Nun

#7 King Nun

London four-piece King Nun fill the “explosive” gap in the indie market. Their new single “Heavenly She Comes” is a pit opener waiting to happen, intentionally released to knock pints (and people) over. In the past week, the band have seen a 130% increase in their playlist following to 314,000, making it clear that they’ll be backed by a strong crowd at Reading & Leeds 2018 (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#8 Sea Girls

#8 Sea Girls

London-based indie rockers Sea Girls have spent the past year building a loyal fan base. Drawing huge crowds to packed out shows, Sea Girls have been steadily dropping tracks packed with stomping baselines and soaring choruses this year. Enjoying a solid playlist following of 289,000 this week, we expect a strong turnout as Sea Girls turn the Festival Republic tent upside down (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#9 BLOXX

#9 BLOXX

BLOXX have come a long way as a group since meeting whilst working in Spoons. The Uxbridge four-piece have been ones to watch all summer after smashing their set at The Great Escape, in front of a packed out industry crowd. With support from 'Feel Good Indie Rock' and 'Totally Alt' this week, the band have picked up a huge 2,068,538 playlist following (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#10 Pretty Vicious

#10 Pretty Vicious

Welsh four-piece Pretty Vicious will be a long way from their Merthyr hometown when they hit the Festival Republic Stages at Reading & Leeds Festival this weekend. They’ve recently released “Move”, a head-spinning anthem that has helped them pick up 1,889,838 playlist followers this week (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#11 Annabel Allum

#11 Annabel Allum

It is inevitable that Reading & Leeds must-see lists will be dominated by fast-rising indie bands. However, singer-songwriter AnnabelAllum offers something unique. Having journeyed her way through folky tones, the Guildford artist has found her sound with recent single “Fear Naught”, a slow-burning slacker-rock single with a dark and brooding edge. Featured on “Rocked” and “Tune of the Week (Radio 1)” playlists, Allum has enjoyed a 1,322% increase in her playlist following in the past 7 days (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#12 YONAKA

#12 YONAKA

If any band playing at Reading & Leeds 2018 have prepared with a release dedicated to the festival, it is YONAKA. The Brighton four-piece have just announced their new EP ‘Teach Me To Fight’, with ferocious new single “Fired Up”. With features on 32 influential Spotify playlists this week, YONAKA have picked up over 6.5 million playlist followers this week (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#13 Easy Life

#13 Easy Life

With elements of hip-hop, soul, pop and indie, Leicester’s Easy Life are also a must-see act at Reading & Leeds Festival 2018. New single “Frank” is the follow up to their much-acclaimed debut single “Pockets” and has earnt them 1,132,915 playlist followers this week (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#14 Russo

#14 Russo

Los Angeles outfit Russo are set to entertain the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading & Leeds 2018 this weekend. Frontwoman Cailin Russo is the daughter of Scott Russo, the frontman of veteran Cali rockers Unwritten Law, so is no stranger to big stages. Having just released their debut project “House with a Pool”, it is clear that the band are set to light up R&L with their ska-pop, rock sound and rebellious energy. With over 305,593 playlist followers this week, they’re an exciting prospect to catch early on (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform).

#15 Tiana Major9

#15 Tiana Major9

Fusing jazz, neo-soul and R&B, Tiana Major9 is a must-see artist at Reading & Leeds Festival 2018. On her new single “Mr. Mysterious”, her D’Angelo and Amy Winehouse influences shine through. With features on Spotify & Chill, amongst four other influential playlists, Tiana has picked up over 675,000 Spotify playlist followers (Instrumental Music Scouting Platform). Having recently enjoyed support slots with Ray BLK and Ella Eyre, Tiana Major9 is a great tip on the BBC Introducing stage.

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